Plan & prepare
Descending Upper Joe Waterfall
Getting there
Mt Aspiring National Park straddles the southern end of the Southern Alps. The closest towns are Wanaka, Queenstown, Glenorchy and Te Anau. It is one of New Zealand's larger parks at 355,543 hectares and it lies alongside the largest, Fiordland National Park.
In the northwest the park is traversed by State Highway 6. Good tramping tracks and short walks can be accessed from the small settlement of Makarora between Haast and Wanaka.
Roads also lead to main access points from Wanaka, Queenstown/Glenorchy and Te Anau. Local transport services run to most of these access points, including a boat service from Glenorchy to the Greenstone Valley, and the following services from Wanaka:
Alpine Coachlines
Daily scheduled shuttle services to tracks within the Mount Aspiring National Park and Lake Wanaka region.
Ph +64 3 443 7966
Website: www.alpinecoachlines.co.nz
Wanaka River Journeys
Jet boat transport to Rob Roy Glacier and Mount Aspiring National Park walks from Wanaka.
Ph +64 3 443 4416
Website: www.wanakariverjourneys.co.nz
Bus services to Queenstown, Wanaka and Te Anau are frequent, and Queenstown has an airport with regular services.
Safety
If you use the track system in the park for overnight trips, make sure you are properly equipped and well prepared.
Make sure your group has a capable leader and that everyone is carrying a sleeping bag, cooking utensils, sufficient high energy food (with some extra for emergencies), a waterproof raincoat and overtrousers, gloves, a hat, and several layers of warm (wool or fleece) clothing.
Please check in at any of the local Department of Conservation offices for up-to-date information on weather and track conditions. Fill in an intention form at the office and remember to let them know when you have completed your trip.